It was a night she’ll always remember. She stepped onto the field in her pale blue flow-y dress with dazzling beadwork, arm in arm with the football team co-captain. Hair done, jewelry on, ready for the Friday night lights, she took her place beside 14 other girls on the homecoming court and awaited the announcement – who would be this year’s queen?

Everyone knew. Everyone but Callie Beers. She never expected to be on homecoming court let alone be crowned queen at Gallatin County High School, but she was last Friday thanks to an amazing student body, all pulling for the girl who is adored by everyone but had a tough road to royalty.

Born with Apert syndrome, Callie has faced physical and mental challenges her whole life.

Apert syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by premature fusion of the skull bones, causing deformity. According to literature published by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the syndrome is present in 1 in 100,000 births.

As is typical of the syndrome, Callie has webbed toes and fingers, and has endured 16 surgeries to correct medical issues, possibly facing more.

Callie may look a little different than most and is often the target of curious stares, prompting her extreme shyness.

Too absorbed in her outward appearance, people overlook the spunky, humorous side of the beautiful young lady with the great personality, according to family and friends.

But in just a matter of days since students started a campaign to make Callie their homecoming queen, she has blossomed.

The 17-year-old senior has become more confident and sociable because of the kindness and determination from classmates whose only wish was to make Callie feel special.

“Knowing that this could have been an opportunity that they had themselves, they chose a friend who normally wouldn’t have had this opportunity and bestowed that on her,” said Angela Baker, library media specialist at the school. “It’s just been heartwarming and I’m so proud of them.”

It started when Callie’s friends and sister, Catelynn, a 15-year-old sophomore, circled Callie’s name on the ballot listing all senior girls as candidates for homecoming court.

“We all rallied for everyone to vote for her,” said Callie’s friend, 17-year-old senior Stephanie Johnson.

“It’s amazing because you don’t really hear stuff like that nowadays and everybody’s all really for themselves.

“When it comes to stuff like this in high school, most girls they want to win and would rather get the crown but everybody was all for it from the very beginning.”

In addition to her medical problems, Callie and her two sisters have dealt with a troubled home life.

Three years ago, their father suffered a heart attack and died.

In June, the children were removed from their home and placed with extended family after their mother was incarcerated.

“She’s had a rough time here lately at home and we would rather see her have a good senior year rather than all of us bicker and fight over who got it,” Johnson said.

Once the list was whittled down to 15 girls for the court, friends both on the court and off took Callie on a shopping spree at the Florence Mall. Callie’s guardian, Melodie Lawrence, paid for a dress and shoes.

Johnson, who has gone to school with Callie since kindergarten, bought her earrings, and another friend styled her hair.

Callie and the rest of the court rode through downtown Warsaw for the parade before the big game.

She was escorted by Christopher Brown, the 17-year-old senior co-captain.

Brown, who has known her all through school, asked her repeatedly to walk with him onto the field until her bashfulness subsided and she finally relented.

According to Baker, Callie won by a landslide and was supported by the entire student body.

“Once they announced her name as the queen, she had a great big smile on her face and she was very happy with the outcome,” said Brown, who made a touchdown and ran for 112 yards with 23 carries in a 22-14 win over Trimble County.

“I think everyone was very happy and it was a very cool moment for all of us that were involved.”

Lawrence said this experience has been life-changing for Callie and she attributes it all to the students and the staff at the school.

“It’s the most amazing thing,” Lawrence said. “The way she is, people look at her because she’s different but now she doesn’t even realize that anymore. She woke up and feels like one of them and she is one of them now that they’ve made her feel like a queen.”

Lawrence, a single grandparent who is also raising three grandchildren, acknowledges that Callie and her sisters haven’t had it too easy, but she feels lucky to be part of their lives.

Lawrence also said she’s honored to be the caregiver for six children, cousins who get along beautifully.

As a server at the Sunset Grill in Warsaw, Lawrence said she waits on most of the county, including students and school staff who say they’ve seen a marked improvement in Callie recently.

Now Callie is looking forward to prom in April with her friend Joey as her date, and will soon be working on getting a dress.

Lawrence takes none of the credit, owing it all to the community and a great bunch of students at Gallatin County High School.

“I can’t say enough about them and I feel honored to live in Gallatin County,” Lawrence said.